'It was a great joy to be in his presence'

The signs were there, yet even those closest to Pope Benedict XVI never anticipated his abdication of the papal throne.

LINDA ANDRADE RODRIGUES

The signs were there, yet even those closest to Pope Benedict XVI never anticipated his abdication of the papal throne.

A Vatican official and lay Dominican, Dr. Joseph H. Hagan has served as one of the pope's Gentlemen-in-Waiting from the time he was elected in 2005 to the present. A resident of Little Compton, he also lives part of the year in Rome.

"It was a great shock to me when I learned of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI," he said.

Previously, Hagan had served his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, now Blessed John Paul II, from his appointment in 1991 until his death in 2005 at the age of 84.

"Like John Paul, Pope Benedict is a wonderful man — kind, gracious and a model of holiness," said Hagan. "It was a great joy to be in his presence."

At the outset of his papacy in 2006, Benedict wrote in his book "Jesus of Nazareth":

"Since my election to the episcopal see of Rome, I have used every free moment to make progress on the book. As I do not know how much more time or strength I am still to be given, I have decided to publish the first ten chapters."

Four years later, he wrote in "Jesus of Nazareth" (Part Two):

"I will try, however, to keep the promise that I made in Part One and to prepare a small monograph on this subject (the infancies of Jesus), if I am given the strength."

Announcing his resignation to the world Monday on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the pope said that "both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me."

The founder of iPadre.net Catholic podcast, the Rev. Jay Finelli celebrated Mass with the pope last year on Pentecost Sunday, distributing communion to the faithful.

"It was a beautiful time," he said.

The pastor of the Church of the Holy Ghost in Tiverton, Finelli hosts iPadre.net which is about "all things Catholic and then some." There have been nearly a million downloads to the site since its inception in 1995.

Finelli recorded his 291st podcast "Without a Pope" on Tuesday.

"It was kind of shock and awe that he so humbled himself — for a great man to step back," he said. "I was very sad."

Abdicating the papacy, Benedict will live the life of a monk within Vatican walls.

"But we don't lose him," said Finelli. "We are going to have the retired pope praying for us. He is our spiritual father, and even though he will be behind the scenes, he will be praying for us and the entire Church."

Finelli praised some of the pope's accomplishments during his short tenure.

"He did so much, but one would be his reform of the liturgy of the Mass to try to bring back tradition that was lost," he said. "The great reverence and beauty of the Masses he celebrated flowed out to the parishes, where the priests follow his example. He made Masses more sacred, more centered on Christ than us."

He also pointed out that Benedict's ecumenical work opened the door for Anglicans who wanted to come into full communion with the Catholic Church. Some priests and bishops were ordained, and they continue to use their own liturgy and follow their own traditions.

Yet perhaps his greatest contribution may be found in his writings.

Benedict said that his "Jesus of Nazareth" series chronicles his personal search for the face of the Lord.

"Jesus' teaching is not the product of human learning, of whatever kind," the pope wrote. "It originates from immediate contact with the Father, from 'face-to-face' dialogue — from the vision of the one who rests close to the Father's heart. It is the Son's word."

"He is a brilliant scholar, one of the world's outstanding theologians, recognized as such by theological scholars of other faiths, as well as the Catholic faith," Hagan said.

Benedict also will be remembered as a peacemaker.

"He constantly preached the need for cooperation and harmony among all people," said Hagan. "He leaves a legacy of holiness, scholarship and love as he steps down from the papal office. I join him in prayer that he will have a worthy successor in his spirit and that of Blessed John Paul II."